McCarthy-Kennicott Points of Interest

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This classic swimming hole is a local favorite—it's the perfect spot to relax on a hot summer day. You'll find it at the second footbridge, a 5-minute walk from the Kennicott River, where you can park your car. Lounge on the beach or even go swimming—the water's relatively warm when the sun is shining. While here, you can also explore near the toe of Kennicott Glacier and More...

This classic swimming hole is a local favorite—it's the perfect spot to relax on a hot summer day. You'll find it at the second footbridge, a 5-minute walk from the Kennicott River, where you can park your car. Lounge on the beach or even go swimming—the water's relatively warm when the sun is shining. While here, you can also explore near the toe of Kennicott Glacier and find More...

Locals say that "where the road ends, the adventure begins," and the McCarthy Road (an adventure in itself) abruptly ends at the Kennicott River. This is a glacially-birthed torrent, and the best place to watch the action is from the footbridge. Pick a spot on the river's edge and watch the water rise and fall. Listen for the rocks pushed along under the surface. And gaze up at the More...

Locals say that "where the road ends, the adventure begins," and the McCarthy Road (an adventure in itself) abruptly ends at the Kennicott River. This is a glacially-birthed torrent, and the best place to watch the action is from the footbridge. Pick a spot on the river's edge and watch the water rise and fall. Listen for the rocks pushed along under the surface. And gaze up at the More...

Along the road get good views of Kennicott Glacier, Mount Blackburn and Fireweed Mountain. McCarthy served as the supply and recreation stop for the Kennicott Mining District. Today, the town looks much like it did when it was first established in 1906 thanks to the local who have restored and preserved the original buildings.

Along the road get good views of Kennicott Glacier, Mount Blackburn and Fireweed Mountain. McCarthy served as the supply and recreation stop for the Kennicott Mining District. Today, the town looks much like it did when it was first established in 1906 thanks to the local who have restored and preserved the original buildings.

Known in town as "The Toe," this area—the toe of the glacier—is a large open space at, yes, the toe of the glacier. It's also relatively hidden, so you won't find many people here. What you will find: a lake that's formed below the ice, the spectacular display of rocks falling off the ice into the water, and, sometimes, a party or concert (an abandoned flatbed truck serves More...

Known in town as "The Toe," this area—the toe of the glacier—is a large open space at, yes, the toe of the glacier. It's also relatively hidden, so you won't find many people here. What you will find: a lake that's formed below the ice, the spectacular display of rocks falling off the ice into the water, and, sometimes, a party or concert (an abandoned flatbed truck serves as More...

The Wrangell Mountain Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to wilderness education and creative arts, housed in the old hardware store; stop by and see if any events are being held during your visit. There's a kiosk out front with a schedule that often includes free lectures by visiting biologists, artists, naturalists, and students. Activities include early morning bird walks, More...

The Wrangell Mountain Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to wilderness education and creative arts, housed in the old hardware store; stop by and see if any events are being held during your visit. There's a kiosk out front with a schedule that often includes free lectures by visiting biologists, artists, naturalists, and students. Activities include early morning bird walks, More...

Looking for a mellow 3- to 4-hour walk and a nice spot to relax with a book or a journal? Check out McCarthy Creek. To get here, just walk straight through McCarthy's Main Street, past Ma Johnson's Hotel (on the left), down the hill, and past the Wrangell Mountain Center. Don't underestimate the swiftness of the current, or the frigidness of the water, and remember that what are called More...

Looking for a mellow 3- to 4-hour walk and a nice spot to relax with a book or a journal? Check out McCarthy Creek. To get here, just walk straight through McCarthy's Main Street, past Ma Johnson's Hotel (on the left), down the hill, and past the Wrangell Mountain Center. Don't underestimate the swiftness of the current, or the frigidness of the water, and remember that what are called More...

The road may end here but the journey isn't over yet. Kennecott River Pedestrian Bridge crosses the main channel of the river, providing access to the road leading to the town of McCarthy and the old mining town of Kennecott. You can walk or bicycle the .6 miles to the town of McCarthy or the 5 miles to the historic mining town of Kennecott. Look for the old hand-pulled, open platform More...

The road may end here but the journey isn't over yet. Kennecott River Pedestrian Bridge crosses the main channel of the river, providing access to the road leading to the town of McCarthy and the old mining town of Kennecott. You can walk or bicycle the .6 miles to the town of McCarthy or the 5 miles to the historic mining town of Kennecott. Look for the old hand-pulled, open platform More...

If you're hiking up to Kennicott from McCarthy and would like a 1- to 2-hour diversion, the toe of the glacier is it. There are some amazing mountain views, and a good chance you'll see a unique movement of nature involving rock, ice, and glacial silt. When you're here, imagine yourself back in the early 1900s: McCarthy was a boomtown, and this land was completely covered by ice. More...

If you're hiking up to Kennicott from McCarthy and would like a 1- to 2-hour diversion, the toe of the glacier is it. There are some amazing mountain views, and a good chance you'll see a unique movement of nature involving rock, ice, and glacial silt. When you're here, imagine yourself back in the early 1900s: McCarthy was a boomtown, and this land was completely covered by ice. That's More...